12.3-12.10.08
How To Shop Here

In this week's issue:

Pardon us for our presumptuousness. We think you should spend your money here in our community, instead of buying holiday gifts at big box stores. That's why our Holiday Buying Guide to local artisans & entrepreneurs heads our Top 5 list, and continues to be one of our most popular links ever. We've got a heads up for healthy kids, a warning from Mansfield Frazier about an Obamanation ready to happen, and Jeffrey Bowen's essay on America's drinking problem. And if you really need an iPod, search out our SPONSORED links below and click on them to win. Then buy everything else local. --Thomas Mulready

It's really very simple. To win an iPod Nano, just click on our Sponsored links and Sponsored Video links. Pretend you're on a digital scavenger hunt, and look below for our Sponsored Videos (look in the colored banners) and the SPONSORED: tag and click on the link that follows to visit our cool sponsors' web sites. It's that simple. The more you CLICK the better your chances of WINNING prizes ranging from complimentary admissions to our exclusive Cool Cleveland parties, to an iPod or iPhone! You can even pick your favorite color! Watch this space for announcements of winners. Click to WIN.

Welcome to the ever-clickable CC Holiday Gift Guide!

Tick, tick, tick, Cleveland... Think you have enough time to get all that shopping done for the holidays? Try again. But hey, relax, we're here for you and ready to help you think outside the (Big) Box (stores). Our growing list of local shop owners, purveyors and proprietors is here to make things quick, easy AND to help you support NEO's artisans, neighborhood Mom & Pop shops and crafty/creative types across the region. Buying local is a smart, equitable and sustainable business practice. You support your local economy. You keep jobs in the region. And most importantly, you're a little greener for each click when you can buy online, too. We'll continue add new listings each week so check back every Wednesday for updates. There are a number of BRAND NEW LISTINGS in this week's edition, including some art sales, lively holiday performances and more. Look for the NEW FOR 12/3 tag. So click on through to last week's -- and this season's -- most popular feature in Cool Cleveland. Are we missing something? Send us the details at InfoATCoolCleveland.com.

Click here for Cool Cleveland's Holiday Buying Guide

To ensure you receive Cool Cleveland every week, take a moment now and add CoolCleveland@CoolCleveland.com to your address book, trusted sender list, or corporate white list. Learn More.

PD Editor Susan Goldberg's message to staff on reductions comes by phone (?!?) and our own Roldo shares details here and here
If you remember the good ol' radio days then tune in or set your TiVo here

Sitting On Top of the World This essay by Garrison Keillor about being from the Midwest of America in Barack Obama's new world, speaks to just how cool we can allow ourselves to feel. Click

Cleveland's culinary champs Cleveland got raves from wine and cuisine writers after sampling Muse, CROP Bistro, Dante, Blue Point Grille, Tommy's, Momocho, and Sokolowski's University Inn at a recent Positively Cleveland familiarization tour, writing nice things about Cleveland's restaurants & wine offerings on their blogs and in their hometown papers from Wheeling to St. Louis to Baltimore to New York to San Francisco. Read

Cool Cleveland Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events, in an easy-to-digest 3 minute audio format, for playback on your computer or iPod.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Podcast in iTunes.

SPONSORED: Can you help Michael? Adoption Network Cleveland is working to recruit at least 50 new adult mentors for youth in foster care by the end of 2008. A mentor termed a "permanency champion" can help a youth just like Michael transition to adulthood successfully, who might otherwise be alone in facing the prospect of aging out of foster care without a permanent family. To learn more about Adoption Network Cleveland's Mentoring Program, call Julia at (216) 325-1000 or visit http://www.AdoptionNetwork.org

A Cool Guide to Healthy Kids

Think fast. What do you want for your kid? Chances are that healthy, safe and happy tops your list. This is why many of us choose to live in Cleveland. It's a great place for families. It's a fairly safe city (every place has its risk, right?) and it definitely has great benefits to support healthy kids (and grown-ups too). When you think of health and safety, medical care probably jumps first and foremost to your mind.

One of the biggest advantages for Northeast Ohio families is access to extraordinary healthcare. Nationally ranked healthcare providers in the area include the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals Health System. Additionally, research institutions like Case Western Reserve University, The Lerner Research Institution, and Cleveland State University all contribute to first rate healthcare in Northeast Ohio...

Read more from Jeannie Fleming-Gifford here

Country Lights features horse-drawn wagon rides through a winter wonderland featuring holiday lighted displays and Santa's Workshop, where memories are built. Children sit with Santa's elves and build a wooden toy to take home. Santa will be on hand to talk with the children; model trains, horse shows and drills, animals, and more round out the event. Get the full schedule and tickets at http://www.lakemetroparks.com, or charge tickets by phone at 440-256-2158.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular kicks off (sorry!) Thu 12/4 at PlayhouseSquare Center and runs through late December. The Rockettes always do Cleveland in style with precision choreography. Totally family friendly, they'll deliver an awe-inspiring "Living Nativity." The show has dazzled and inspired people for more than 75 years. AND don't miss TINSEL TOWN - A Holiday Celebration for Families this Sat 12/6 at the Ideacenter, which features the Rockettes. http://www.radiocitychristmas.com. Showtimes and tickets at http://www.playhousesquare.org.

Sesame Street from Around the World Party! hits Fri 12/5 from 10AM - noon. Children will enjoy participating in special themed games and sing-alongs based on Sesame Street Playground songs from the United States, France, Israel, Mexico and many other countries! Included at no cost with paid admission or membership to the Children's Museum of Cleveland. http://www.clevelandchildrensmuseum.org.

Peter Pan This holiday season, take off on a high-flying adventure as the Beck Center for the Arts presents Peter Pan, a musical based on the classic play by J.M. Barrie, starting Fri 12/5 and running through early January. Show times tickets and details at http://www.beckcenter.org.

HOT Light Up Lakewood will magically transform downtown Lakewood into an old-fashioned main street -- featuring musical entertainment, ice carvings, sleigh rides, refreshments, a visit from Santa and friends, an official holiday lighting and plenty of good cheer. Find the section of Detroit Ave. between Marlowe to Arthur (Lakewood Hospital to Lakewood Public Library) this Sat 12/6 from 6 - 8PM. http://www.lightuplakewood.com.

Dr. Christine Carter The executive director of the Greater Good Science Center at University of California at Berkeley, will speak at Hawken School on Mon 12/8 on the topic of raising happy children. The event will take place at 6:30PM in the A/C Lobby at Hawken's Upper School Campus in Gates Mills. Dr. Carter's presentation will be open to the public and no at no cost. RSVP to 440-423-2923.

SPONSORED: Books make the best gifts, especially for kids. For the newest and best in children's literature, pick up a FREE copy of Great Books for Kids at any branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library or customer payment center of Time Warner Cable. They have teamed up to produce this annotated list of 100 of the best books for preschoolers to age 14. The best thing about this award-winning guide is that all of the books included are available for loan from the Library by visiting http://www.CuyahogaLibrary.org.

Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast Weekly roundup of cool events for kids & families from 13-year-old Cool Cleveland Kids correspondent Max.

Click here to subscribe to the Cool Cleveland Kids Podcast in iTunes.

A hot selection of tech and business news & events from around the region. Got business news? Send it to: EVENTS@CoolCleveland.com

Voinovich implores aid for auto industry and the story is here
PD Editor Susan Goldberg's message to staff on reductions comes by phone (?!?) and our own Roldo shares details here and here
Related to story above? CNN pitches cheap wire service to PD and other news sources across the country... and they're all biting...? Click

Annual Communicators Holiday Party Check in at the Hermit Club Wed 12/3 at 6PM at the Hermit Club, 1629 Dodge Court, next to the PlayhouseSquare parking garage. Guests are asked to bring one or two children's books that will be donated to an area elementary school to promote literacy. For more info: http://www.thehermitclub.org.

TiE Ohio's Launch Celebration The 50th chapter of the TiE Global organization -- which has locations throughout North America as well as Europe, Asia, and Australia -- includes leading entrepreneurs and venture investors. Celebrate Mon 12/8 at House of Blues. Register

Web Assoc. Holiday Bash includes food, drinks, bowling, & fun on Thu 12/4 in the private, first-level bar of The Winking Lizard/Lakewood. Register
Is Franchising for You? Joel Libava, local franchise expert, talks franchise myths, facts, investment amounts, loans, legalities, and more Thu 12/4 at 7PM. Register
Sm Biz Ops for Vets hits Tue 12/9 at 5:30PM. Learn about new services, available resources and government programs for Veteran's to start a business. Click
Lunch & Learn Series: Igniting Word of Mouth DMA Cleveland launches this event Tue 12/9 covering webbed/viral marketing and more. Register
engineering roundtable launches at Sheraton Independence Hotel, 5300 Rockside Road, Independence. on Thu 12/11 featuring keynote speaker Dr. Bahman Ghorashi, Interim Dean for Engineering, Cleveland State University. Register
JumpStart will offer their 4th seminar of the Growing Bright Ideas Lunch Series on Thu 12/11, Hiring Smart: Advice on How to Hire Top Talent. Registration and details
December Roundtable Luncheon The next Akron Roudtable hits Thu 12/11; Call 330-571-4148 for details
Healthcare Marketers Panel Topic: "Healthcare Marketing And Advertising In An Age Of Emerging Consumerism" hits Wed 12/17 at 11:30AM. Register

I-Open Education: Leadership Retreat runs Wed 12/3 - Fri 12/5 at Punderson State Park. Learn about economic development based on networks and more. Register

HOT Telling Your Story: Nonprofits and the Media Meet Thomas Mulready from CoolCleveland.com and George Nemeth from BrewedFreshDaily.com and others as they talk about NPOs and Media on Thu 12/11 starting at 8AM. Register

HOT Chris Ronayne is the featured speaker at the Thu 12/4 League of Women Voters' First Thursday Forum. The President of University Circle, Inc. delivers "University Circle: Building the Knowledge District," a program set to start at 7PM at Trinity Commons, Cathedral Hall, 2230 Euclid Ave. For more info, call 781-0555 or visit http://www.lwvcuyahogaarea.org.

SPONSORED: Constantino's Market One stop shopping with Holiday Goodies for everybody and every budget! We have over 2,000 bottles of wine, priced from under $10.00 to over $200.00, locally brewed, specialty and import beers, fancy cheeses, exotic chocolates and gourmet goodies, coffees, gift baskets, wrapping paper, desserts and more! We're located at 1278 West Ninth Street, in Downtown Cleveland's Warehouse District. FREE PARKING! http://www.ConstantinosMarket.com or call 216.344.0501.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

HOT Multiculti Community Reception Celebrate NEO's Urban Professionals at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Wed 12/3 from 5:30 - 8:30PM. Soak in the CMNH's spectacular exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? It's an exhibition shaking up how we all view humanity. Meet new people, start new dialogue and enjoy hors d'oeuvres, live music and a special art show. 1 Wade Oval Dr., University Circle. Register today at http://www.cmnh.org or call 231-1177.

CIM Chamber Music Festival From Wed 12/3 -- Fri 12/12, the Cleveland Institute of Music offers a brilliant schedule of events -- most of them open to the public at no cost! Concerts featuring string and string/piano, brass and woodwind chamber music will be performed by CIM students, faculty and guest artists over the course of the festival. Highlights include performances by the Cavani String Quartet with Joshua Smith (flute) and the renowned Tokyo String Quartet perform on Wed 12/3. http://www.cim.edu. http://www.clevelandchambermusic.org.

City Club Open House Join in a celebration of free speech with delicious hors d'oeuvres, indulging libations and live entertainment Wed 12/3 at 4PM. Come and offer your suggestions for the 2009 City Club Speaker Series. Admission is free but reservations are required. Call 621-0082 or visit http://www.cityclub.org to register.

CityMusic Cleveland's Not-Your-Usual-Holiday Concerts run now through Sun 12/7 across NEO. Bring children, family, and neighbors -- everyone is welcome. No cost, open to the public. For info, call 321-8273, email info@citymusiccleveland.org, or visit http://www.citymusiccleveland.org.

SPONSORED: A Christmas Story Based on the motion picture filmed in the downtown Cleveland Higbee's Department Store. Join Ralphie Parker in his quest for the "Holy Grail of Christmas presents" - an official Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and a thing which tells time. This classic holiday comedy is a funny and sweet tale of growing up in the 1940s. A night at the theatre for the whole family! Showing Now - Sun 12/21. Call 216-795-7000 for times and prices. www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com.

It's Zin-tastic When the weather gets cold, robust Zinfandel wines always warm things up. Celebrate the holidays in Cleveland's historic Ohio City neighborhood with the latest installment of the wine tasting series Thu 12/4 from 6 - 8PM. Zins will be matched with an array of hors d'oeuvres, artisanal cheeses and more. Tickets here or call 781-3222 for details.

Mitsuko Uchida will appear with members of The Cleveland Orchestra as soloist and conductor in concerts featuring Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 23 and 24 at Severance Hall on Thu 12/4 at 8PM (repeating Fri 12/5 and Sat 12/6). The program also includes an orchestral arrangement of Liszt's The Black Gondola, which will be performed under the direction of Cle Orch Asst. Conductor Jayce Ogren. The performances of the two Mozart Piano Concertos will be recorded live, for future release on the Decca label. http://www.clevelandorchestra.com.

SPONSORED: Give the Gift of Art This Holiday Season Thirty-five up and coming artists will showcase their one-of-a-kind work at the annual Student Holiday Art Sale at The Cleveland Institute of Art. The sale takes place Fri 12/5 from 6:30-9:00PM; Sat 12/6 from 10AM-8PM; and Sun 12/7 11AM-6PM. This fun, free event will feature the work of student artists from nine different major areas of study: Jewelry and Metals, Ceramics, Glass, Enamel, Illustration, Communication Design, Industrial Design, Sculpture and Fibers. All profits from this show will go to the individual student artists. Info: here.

Art After Dark Join Sankofa Fine Art Plus at their annual membership drive Fri 12/5 at 5:30PM at SPACES Gallery (2220 Superior Viaduct). Art After Dark is a unique social event that will allow attendees to become an artist for the night in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Enjoy live jazz by the Bill Ransom Trio, eat, drink and socialize as you collaborate on a unique piece of art. No art background required; "come as you are," they tell us. Call 541-2787 to RSVP.

HOT Black Nativity This delivery of Cleveland writer-icon Langston Hughes' work is always exceptional. The Karamu House annual holiday production of the gospel play is a stunner -- filled with brilliant local talent as well as the religious and spiritual aspects of the Christmas story. Directed and choreographed by Terence Greene, it starts Fri 12/5 and runs through late December. You really don't want to miss this. http://www.karamu.com.

HOT Dr. James Orbinski On Fri 12/5 at noon, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland presents the author of An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action for the Twenty-First Century. Dr. Orbinski's lecture commemorates World AIDS Day; Orbinski [pictured] is the former International President of Doctors Without Borders, founder of Dignitas International, an organization committed to community-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world. Part of a series of ATGC events acknowledging World AIDS Day. http://www.cityclub.org. Complete schedule of events at http://www.aidstaskforce.org.

Little Italy Art Walk It's time for the December Art Walk in Historic Little Italy Fri 12/5 -- Sun 12/7 (noon - 9PM Fri and Sat, noon - 6PM Sun). This is the one of the city's biggest shows of regional, local and international fine art and gifts. Don't bother with Black Friday's Big Box assault; after Thanksgiving, this is one of the best venues to find unique and memorable gifts! Valet parking and more details at http://www.littleitalyclevelandevents.com.

HOT Holiday CircleFest and Winter Lights Lantern Festival Celebrate the holiday season at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) as it presents the 15th annual Winter Lights Lantern Festival Fri 12/5 - Sun 12/14. Inspired by centuries-old cross-cultural traditions of ceremonial lighting displays, this festival is the centerpiece of the museum's contribution to Holiday CircleFest -- a day of seasonal music, gift shopping, workshops and refreshments hosted by the University Circle community. The Winter Lights feature highlights Sun 12/7. Details here

Best Party of the Year This 19th annual event benefits The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland Fri 12/5 at 6:30PM at the InterContinental Hotel. Proceeds provide over 400K meals to hungry Northeast Ohio children, seniors and families this winter. Live music dancing, a silent auction, raffles, cocktails and delicious fare from Cleveland's finest restaurants round out the night... all for a great cause. Details at http://www.hungernetwork.org.

CSU's Fall/Winter Ceramics Show Fine ceramic gifts will be offered for sale to the public Fri 12/5 and Sat 12/6 in the Cleveland State University Ceramics Studio, Magnet Building, 1768 East 25th St. Hundreds of high quality ceramic items -- each handcrafted by CSU studio art faculty and their students -- will be available for purchase. Pottery, sculptural vessels, tiles, decorative ceramic works and jewelry are part of the show/sale. 10AM - 5PM both days; call 687-2086 for more info.

Sip into the Holidays This auction to benefit the Lakewood Division on Aging hits Fri 12/5 at 7PM at Local Girl Gallery, 16106 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. Highlighted by an auction of hand painted wine, martini, and champagne glasses designed by local artists, this fun evening of bevvies and nosh promises to warm the cockles. Details at http://www.localgirlgallery.com or by calling 521-2894.

SPONSORED: The Cleveland Wind Youth Symphony recently gave its 25th anniversary concert at Severance Hall. This Fri 12/5, at 8PM, WCLV 104.9 FM will broadcast the program. The CWYS is made up of leading high school musicians from all over northeast Ohio. On Sat 12/6, at 10PM, Weekend Radio will have Shelley Berman's Small Embarrassing Moments, and Anna Russell's A Practical Banana Promotion. Complete details on WCLV's programming at http://www.WCLV.com.

with hand & breath Polly Gilmore's works in fiber and glass debut in the Millworks Gallery of Akron's Northside District this Sat 12/6 from 5 - 9PM with an Artist's Reception. Marvel at her talents with delightful sips and nosh; if you can't make it, the exhibition runs through early January. Millworks Gallery, 106 N. Main St., Akron. Call 330-606-3683 for gallery hours or visit http://www.akronglassworks.com.

Jeffrey Bowen with Cats On Holiday Special poetry reading by Bowen, plus a couple of sets by one of our fave bands, Cats On Holiday, on Sat 12/6 from 10PM-1AM, at one of our fave hangouts: The Barking Spider Tavern, 11310 Juniper Road, 421-2863, http://www.CatsOnHoliday.com

Rambler 454's 4th of July in December Shindig Every local band wants a chance to be seen and heard, but rarely does one go to such lengths to get this to happen. On Sat 12/6, the local rootsy rock outfit hosts a no-cost gig at the Grog Shop at Coventry Rd. and Euclid Hts. Blvd., featuring no cost food from the legendary Hot Sauce Williams (score!), no cost beers (score!!), no cover (score!!!), and one looooong set of great Rambler music. http://www.grogshop.gs.

An Island Christmas Party OK, so you're already fed up with the cold? Bah! Soak up the "Parranda" with the live band "Combo Tropical," complimentary coquitos (rum cocktails), a complimentary buffet from Mallorca and live AfroCaribbean beats all on Sat 12/6 at 8PM. Sunset Lounge, 1382 W 9th St. Call 440-263-5842.

Canadian Brass With more than three decades of musical excellence behind them, the brass quintet thrills audiences with entertaining, brilliant performances. The group performs at PlayhouseSquare -- offering a mix of holiday and traditional favorites -- this Sun 12/7 at 6PM. Tickets at 241-6000 or at http://www.playhousesquare.org. Learn more at http://www.canbrass.com.

High Tea party The Dance Alliance of the Beck Center hosts a Holiday High Tea Party on Sun 12/7 at 1PM and 4PM. in the Beck Center Music-Armory Building. Under the direction of Melanie Szucs, company members from the Beck Center Dance Workshop and selected dancers will perform excerpts from Act II of The Nutcracker, with original choreography by Melanie Szucs. All proceeds from the event benefit the Beck Center's Dance Department. http://www.beckcenter.org.

Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra delivers two family concerts. The first on Sun 12/7 at 3PM features Verb Ballets at Tri-C West's Campus Theater at 11000 W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Parma. The following Sat 12/13 at 7:30PM, the deliver a Holiday Concert at Zion United Church of Christ, 2716 West 14th St., Cleveland. Corelli, Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf are highlighted in the former; Rimsky-Korsakow and Strauss in the latter. Details and tickets at 556-1800 or http://www.clevephil.org.

West Shore Chorale's Carols and Choruses Don't miss your chance to be part of Cleveland holiday tradition! This eclectic blend of old and new seasonal favorites for voices, strings, and brass -- including works by Pinkham, Praetorius, Helvey, Thompson, and others -- is offered Sun 12/7 at 7:30PM. Reception will follow. Magnificat Performing Arts Center, 20770 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River. Tickets at the door, by phone at 373-7773 or online at http://www.westshorechorale.org.

Flavor Tripping The B-Side Lounge in Cleveland Heights hosts a culinary event presented by Cleveland taste makers Stove Monkeys on Mon 12/8. The event features small culinary bites from 8 - 10PM, berry tasting from 11PM - 1AM, and music and art throughout the evening. It's a rare glimpse into the world of molecular gastronomy, the scientific study of physical and chemical processes of cooking and more. Works by food-inspired photographer, Dean Saur will also be on display. A cool social gathering with tons of different fun and interesting foods to try. Sounds perfect! http://www.flavortripping.wordpress.com. www.bsideliquorlounge.com.

HOT Drumplay is an idiosyncratic outfit that often weaves percussion with messages of social consciousness and social justice and their new CD is reviewed in Cool Cleveland this week (scroll down). The group will be performing at Borders Books & Music, 6025 Kruse Drive, Solon on Tue 12/9 for their annual Holiday Party. They're best known for their phenomenal work with the late Cuyahoga County poet laureate Daniel Thompson. Call 440-542-9480 for details.

Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? The Cleveland Museum of Natural History hosts the author and co-founding editor of Catalyst Cleveland (now Catalyst Ohio) magazine Wed 12/10 at 7PM. Lyles will discuss her book Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? -- a memoir of race and education, the Cleveland projects, race riots and neighborhood murder. She also hosts a book signing and Q&A, all part of the CMNH's brilliant RACE: Are We So Different? exhibition. 1 Wade Oval Dr., University Circle. http://www.cmnh.org or call 231-1177.

Peter Chakerian The Managing Editor of Cool Cleveland will be discussing and signing his new book, The Browns Fan's Tailgating Guide this Wed 12/10 at 7PM at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lyndhurst. The book celebrates the tradition of Cleveland's "dysfunctional family picnic" known as Cleveland Browns tailgating. "Part history lesson, part sociological study, part user's guide" (Cleveland Magazine) the book is not just for tailgaters; if you love Cleveland and its history, you'll get a kick out of it, too. http://www.josephbeth.com. http://www.grayco.com.

Send your cool events to: Events@CoolCleveland.com

An Obamanation

"By being seldom seen, I could not stir

But, like a comet, I was wonder'd at..."

-William Shakespeare Henry IV, Part One, Act III, Scene 2

Comedian Chris Rock used to do a routine that questioned why, in most cities with a substantial Black population, the most crime-ridden street is virtually always named after Martin Luther King, Jr. The answer, of course, is that Black folks, in our rush to honor our great Civil Rights leader, usually picked the most high profile, well-traversed thoroughfare in the urban community to rename... not pausing long enough to realize there could be a downside... that the busiest street in Black neighborhoods is often the most crime-ridden. Call it the "Law of Unintended Consequences"... and it's about to rear its ugly head once again -- this time in regards to President-elect Barack Obama... Read more from Mansfield B. Frazier here

Cuyahoga County employs 5,200 full time equivalent local government workers per 100,000 residents compared with 4,044 for the U.S. as a whole. "It underscores how far Cuyahoga County public employment is out of whack." comments Ed Morrison. Reactions:

Read and add your comment on the BFD post The Bloat Tax

Verb Ballets and Hernando Cortez Part Ways
Yet Verb's Peter and the Wolf marches on

In the six years that Hernando Cortez was Artistic Director, he changed Repertory Project -- a modern dance company that performed esoteric postmodern fare for a small audience -- into Verb Ballets, an eclectic company with a more accessible and exciting repertoire with considerable audience appeal. So it was a shock to learn that he's left the company to pursue other unspecified artistic interests. What happened, and what does the future hold for Verb?

Cortez (at right, pictured with dancers Mark Tomasic and Deanne Petruschke) could not be reached. The e-mail address and cell phone number we had for him are no longer in service. In separate phone calls to Verb's Executive Director Margaret Carlson and to the President of Verb's Board, David Pierce, both spoke as if reading from the same script... Read more from Victor Lucas and Elsa Johnson here

The Space Between Us
Thrity Umrigar
Harper Perennial

The space between us is never as distant as we think it is.

This is the major theme of Thrity Umrigar's novel, The Space Between Us. Umrigar is a Cleveland writer who was born in India, and she chose her native land as the backdrop for this book. In fact, India's history and culture are felt on every page of this novel that is rich with the vibrations of the human spirit, and the spirit of India.

Umrigar was always aware of the poverty of Bombay, even though she lived a comfortable life there. "Writing was my way to make sense of the world outside and inside my home," she states on her website. She describes herself as being a product of a colonial and western educational system that prepared her for moving to the United States. She had never read an Indian writer until later in her education when she picked up Saman Rushdie's Midnight's Children -- Rushdie was a revelation to her. While the poor shared public baths and lived in lean-tos, Umrigar's family had a maid.

Relocation to the United States almost seemed inevitable... Read more from Claudia J. Taller here

Links to interesting NEO blogs

Monthly sheriff's sales in Cuy Co are down from their peak, but still exceed 500 a month.
What should be NEO's infrastructure priority?
Try Geocaching in Northeast Ohio.
Cuy Co is spending $1M on an offshore wind task force to create a feasibility study on the potential for a wind farm in Lake Erie near Cleveland.
Forget "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" make your holiday green with GCBL's list of places to find sustainable and local gifts for the holidays.
Chemnitz, Germany company AMTEC opens an office in the Akron Global Business Accelerator.

Who's Listening?
Drumplay

Drumplay calls their works "rhythmprovisations." Why mess with perfection? This reviewer can't think of a better way to describe the shape-shifting outfit's sound. Weaving intriguing worldbeat sounds, jazz, afro-latin percussion and beatnik poetry, Drumplay sounds like the city's psyche at night. Like a raw, complex bundle of nerve endings on fire with pain and joy and ideas suffering at the hands of ignorance. Like the bruised concrete, and the unfiltered id. And when they performed with the late Cuyahoga County Poet Laureate Daniel Thompson -- as they begin and end Who's Listening? with joint performances of "Grief Thief" and "Forgive Us Our Exploits," respectively -- they were absolutely magical. If you witnessed them back then, well, you know...

Read more from Peter Chakerian here

America Has a Drinking Problem
Questionable Water from the Village Well

It would seem that these days, just about everyone shares Habitat for Humanity's concern for our city and our neighborhoods, especially those most affected by the foreclosure crisis, which according to both national and local media, is worse here than just about anywhere else.

As Habitat continues to work at a time when so many others cannot, we continue to bring suburban volunteers into our hardest hit neighborhoods and are creating an "Epicenter of Hope" at a time when Cleveland needs more help than ever before.

Because Habitat is celebrating the expansion of a construction material and tool recycling operation which now resides in a beautiful warehouse on West 110th, my public speaking and radio show appearances are becoming more frequent. They are also becoming increasingly radical as I begin to connect the dots relative to Cleveland's relationship to the rest of the world... Read the Comment from Jeffrey Bowen here

Quick reviews of recent events
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Kate Budd: tableau @ William Busta Gallery 11/22 A strange tabletop wonderland of motionless figures comes to life. Two long banquet-like tables run the length of the intimate gallery and are covered in fine, white table linens. Neatly displayed here and there are supple, organic pieces that are carved from paraffin, into irregular shapes, like unknown fruits, mollusks or even strange organs. The slightly transparent quality of the wax from which the works are carved, give them a subtle inner glow, as if the material was really a hardened gel...
Read more from Carol Drummond here

A Christmas Carol @ Ohio Theatre, 11/27 What better way to be reminded of our better selves than to take in A Christmas Carol as provided by Great Lakes Theatre Festival? It's very kid-friendly (and not scary enough) because the action is framed within the setting of a story read by a mother to her children. Highlights Saturday included inventively imagined ghosts of Christmas present and future, street scenes with the full cast bouncing about and singing, Scott Plate as the lovable Bob Cratchit, Laura Perrotta as the sweet-as-pie Mother who starts the play off reading to her children, Phil Carroll as Fred, Andrew May in a bit part as a gayish "Topper," and all the adorable children...
Read more from Laura Kennelly here

A Christmas Carol @ Ohio Theatre 11/27 As a teacher, patron, and reviewer I have seen at least a third of the twenty different stagings of A Christmas Carol that the Great Lakes Theater Festival has done. It is the Romeo and Juliet of Christmas plays. Everyone knows the characters, everyone knows the conflicts, and everyone knows the ending, but if it is done well those things just don't matter...
Read more from Greg Cielec here

Boom @ CPT 11/28 The stated mission of Cleveland Public Theatre, which is now staging Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's Boom, is to "develop new work and support emerging artists." The company seeks plays that challenge audiences and offer unique theatrical experiences." Boom fulfills CPT's mission well. The play, according to its author, is about "this gay marine biologist who posts a Craigslist ad for what seems like casual sex, and what happens when a female journalism student answers the ad..."
Read more from Roy Berko here

Boom @ CPT 11/29 Crash: Its great that for the holidays, CPT has chosen several new pieces instead of the same old warmed-over leftovers. But Peter Sinn Nachtriebs talky post-apocalyptic dark comedy seems more like an idea in search of a play; at Fridays preview the actors could barely eke out a single audience laugh...
Read more from Linda Eisenstein here

Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall 11/28 Although the composer is usually the one who determines the volume of the notes to be played in his works, as well as the notes themselves, it's amazing what a difference can be produced by tiny little adjustments in volume. I believe Beethoven (always an adventurer) would have liked the dynamics employed in his Concerto by violinist Christian Tetzlaf during the Thanksgiving weekend concerts...
Read more from Kelly Ferjutz here

Most clicked
Here are the Top 5 most clicked links from last week's issue, with one more chance for you to click.

1) Holiday Shopping Guide local artists & entrepreneurs offering art, books, music, film, wearable art, health& wellness, fashion, sustenance & sundries.
CoolCleveland.com

2) Winterfest celebrations make the holidays.
CoolCleveland.com

3) Straight Outta Mansfield Self-determination comes to Hough, and maybe to Cleveland, too.
CoolCleveland.com

4) James Gaffigan leads CityMusic Cleveland.
CoolCleveland.com

5) A Christmas Story House celebrates the 25th anniversary of the film.
AChristmasStoryHouse.com

Photography
An ongoing series of photographs of Cleveland and Clevelanders by photog Herb Ascherman, Jr.

I walked into Ted's Tackle Bait and Coin store around W. 40th and Detroit Ave. The place was a veritable museum of stuffed fish and animals. Leroy "Ted" Lane, was Ted the Third. Ted's grandfather had opened the shop in 1928, had passed it down to his son and now to Ted. Both Ted and the store remain Cleveland icons. Nice fish, walleye I think. Caught in Lake Erie around 1930.

Drink Up! Pour yourself a tall, cool glass of the Hard Corps every Wednesday and approach your city refreshed! Thanks to Peter Chakerian, T.L. Champion, George Nemeth, Claudia J. Taller, Jeffrey Bowen, Mansfield B. Frazier, Greg Cielec, Laura Kennelly, Roy Berko, Jeannie Fleming-Gifford and Kelly Ferjutz. And lastly, though certainly not least, thanks to our readers and everyone who partners with us. Want to volunteer and contribute your writing to Cool Cleveland? Send your reviews, articles, or story ideas to: Events@CoolCleveland.com.

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